Broody Hen Thread!

[Beour3rd]

hello all

we have about 5 broody hens, we were raising 20 chicks as soon as they hatched but the first two have died..

anyone give us some advice? as its happening currently this is kind of a rush..and our first time doing it this way.

 

[Pongocup]

What kind of eggs? The darker the shell the longer it takes. Marans hatch on day 23. If the temp was cooler it will takea little longer also.

They were from a local lady. I think she said they are aloha chickens. It's a mix breed project she has been working on for six years. I think Sussex is part of the mix. The eggs are different shades of brown.

 

[blkjak]

Can you hear anything?

 

[Pongocup]

No. I don't think so.

 

[blkjak]

It may still be ok. I would leave them until day 25 then candle or open one. If mama is still sitting they might be ok. Although my silkies will sit on an egg til it explodes and stinks up the joint.

 

[Pongocup]

OK. Sounds good. Waiting...

 

[Sambi89]

I have a question I need answered. So my BO went broody this year in the spring. She hatched out 5 duck eggs with me constantly hovering over her to make sure she was ok. It was hard on the both of us and I'm not thrilled to do it again. Yup that's right she is broody again. I do however have chicks that are only a week old. My question is how long does she need to sit before I can switch out the dummy eggs for the chicks. She's only been on the nest for 3 days.

edited: I forgot to mention that it's 115 degrees this last week so that's another reason I don't want her sitting too long.

 

[Free Feather]

Wait until she has been on for a week at least. She should accept the chicks even if they are that age if you are very careful and watchful. The most important thing to remember is to do it in the dark and MAKE SURE she does not know you put the chicks under her.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I have a question I need answered. So my BO went broody this year in the spring. She hatched out 5 duck eggs with me constantly hovering over her to make sure she was ok. It was hard on the both of us and I'm not thrilled to do it again. Yup that's right she is broody again. I do however have chicks that are only a week old. My question is how long does she need to sit before I can switch out the dummy eggs for the chicks. She's only been on the nest for 3 days.

edited: I forgot to mention that it's 115 degrees this last week so that's another reason I don't want her sitting too long.

Why is it "hard"/stressful? I am on my 50th broody hen in just the last year. No stress at all for me and what seems like 50 happy broody hens to me. We only have around 100/102 days here and 115 is hot. You can simply break her broodiness, then you would not have to deal with it now.

"""I""" would not even try to put 1 week old chicks under a just started broody, even though she "might" adopt them---she is not stupid---she is going to know they are not hers. She "could" peck them to death----it happens----just according to the hen.

 

[TXchickenchick]

Why is it "hard"/stressful? I am on my 50th broody hen in just the last year. No stress at all for me and what seems like 50 happy broody hens to me. We only have around 100/102 days here and 115 is hot. You can simply break her broodiness, then you would not have to deal with it now.

"""I""" would not even try to put 1 week old chicks under a just started broody, even though she "might" adopt them---she is not stupid---she is going to know they are not hers. She "could" peck them to death----it happens----just according to the hen.

This! Plus if you wait a week or so the chicks will be even older. The chance of her accepting 'big kids' like that seems pretty tiny. The chance of those chicks accepting her, even tinier. If you can't get brand new babies I wouldn't even consider it.